By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Expectedly, Indomitable Lionesses roared loudest last night as a ten-woman Cameroon qualified to play in the inter-continental play-offs for the 2023 FIFA World Cup next year after defeating Botswana 1-0 at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Rabat on Sunday.
The Cameroonians clinched their place thanks to a first-half powerful strike by captain Ajara Nchout Njoya at the Complexe Prince Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat.
Despite losing substitute Fadimatou Aretouyap late in the game, Botswana could not make their numerical advantage count as the Lionesses held on to qualify.
Cameroon was later reduced to ten women after substitute Aretouyap was sent off six minutes from time following a very dangerous tackle on Tholakele.
However, Botswana’s best chance of the match fell to striker Refilwe Thokalele late in the game but goalkeeper Ange Bawou was alert to prevent the Mares from restoring parity to help her country to reach the playoffs.
Earlier on Sunday, Senegal also qualified for the inter-continental play-offs for the FIFA World Cup next year after beating Tunisia 4-2 on penalties in Casablanca on the day.
The Lionesses of Teranga wrote their names in the history books of African women’s football when they picked one of the two slots for the playoffs in New Zealand.
The West Africans recovered from their quarter-finals disappointment to see off Tunisians at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed V on Sunday night.
With full-time looming Tunisian coach Samir Landolsi replaced goalkeeper Jabrani Soulaima with Nesrine Zizi to help in the shootout.
The substitute stopped Hapsatou Malado Diallo’s penalty but could not respond to the four kicks of Mama Diop, Mbayang Sow, Nguenar Ndiaye and Korka Fall respectively.
For Tunisia only Sabrine Elouzi and Samia Ouni scored in the penalties which led to Senegal’s qualification to the Fifa Women’s World Cup playoffs.
Recall hosts Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia earlier last week booked their places to play at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after they all advanced to the last four of the 2022 WAFCON in the North African country.
Two other African countries must join eight countries from around the world in the inter-confederation playoffs scheduled for February next year.
FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament from 24 to 32 teams from the 2023 edition of the Women’s World Cup resulted in more places for Africa.
The inter-confederation playoff has three more slots available for the World Cup but ten countries must fight to grab the places.
Cameroon has now joined Senegal as the two countries to represent Africa in the playoffs after the two sides won their matches on Sunday.
The two African countries will join Panama, Haiti, Thailand and Chinese Taipei who have already qualified for the competition to be played early next year.
The competition will be played from 18 to 23 February in New Zealand at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton and Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium.
